Can it be?

[Pavane]

By the Lone Crabapple Tree, with a cast of diverse wolves.
---

And once again Tala can be found resting within the half dug hole that her brother made. Head resting between her paws and ears back while she peers out at the world that is around her. She's tired and worried, sad and lonely all rolled into one. Ever since her parents died there had at least been her brother here at her side, and with him gone she's at a lose of really want to do with herself. A faint breeze catches her attention for a moment and she lifts her head to peer towards the faint movement of a bush wondering if it might be Ikuna bounding back in, though when no one appears her head settles down to ground once more.

That breeze continues on from where it blows past Tala, and finds its way to a grey-furred wolfess, awakened from a brief rest. Niyt lifts her muzzle to it, tasting the scents. Hmm. She slowly pads forward, following that wind toward the half-dug hole and the wolfpup resting there.

Aeron having managed to get back to his den the night before without needing to explain his whereabouts actually got permission to head out 'hunting' this time....admittedly he didn't say he planned to hunt down his new friends and see what they were up to but since he wasn't asked then he isn't guilty of doing anything wrong right. The young wolf bounding into the area as he looks around the area with a slight grin on his muzzle, his paws leading him directly toward the hole he found Tala in the night before.

Tala's eyes close after a moment, a faint breath escaping the young wolf and she starts to doze off for a few moment, that is right up into there seems to be someone or thing moving towards her. Her head lifts and she blinks as she catches sight of the strange she-wolf and shifts up onto her haunches looking rather confused. "Who.. Who are you?" She questions to the she-wolf, a ear flicking back towards more movement and she looks to the young wolf from the night before, eyeing him faintly before turning her attention back to the she-wolf once more.

Niyt turns her head toward Tala at the sound of the pup's voice. There's definitely something strange about her - especially her eyes. They look like there are clouds in front of them, and they don't focus on anything, just staring into nothingness. The smile she gives seems friendly enough, though, as does her voice when she says, "I'm Niyt. Who are you?"

Aeron skids to a halt as he notes niyt and studies the adult wolf, his mannerism becoming a lot more cautious considering what he has been told and taught. A deep breath inhaled before he shakes his head and continues toward the two of them deciding that if she is within Ute lands then its likely that she is safeish.

Tala ears perk forward and then lower slightly as she watches Niyt. "Me.. I'm Tala.." She offers not thinking about it, still her actions are tense unsure about this adult it seems. "What you doing here.. your not a Ute wolf.." This said as she inches back more into the hole, resting upon her haunches.

Niyt tilts her head at Tala's answer. Tala, Tala... oh, right. "You're Ikuna's sister?" she asks softly. She doesn't move to approach the pup closer, nor does she turn toward Aeron - if she's even noticed him, blind as she is. She shakes her head sadly, and then lowers herself slowly to the ground. "I'm here looking for _my_ little brother. His name's Anoki."

Aeron remains silent as he stops up a few steps from the other two simply looking between them with furrowed brows, His breath slowly being exhaled as he tries to come up with something to say or add to what they are speaking about.

Tala ohs at the talk of Niyt looking for her brother as well, her ears perk forward and her blue gaze blink. "Yes.. I'm Ikuna's sister.." For a moment she pauses and then shifts forward a few steps closer to Niyt. "How.. How did you lose your brother?"

Niyt remains where she is, letting Tala approach her instead of the other way around. "Our mama was sick, and he wanted to go see where he was born. So he went off alone, but a bad thing came and took him away."

Tala ohs softly while she peers up at Niyt, her ears lower slightly. "I'm sorry your ma was sick.. Is she better?" She frowns while settling down to her haunches. "Something bad came an took Ikuna.. He would never stay away this long.. I don't think anyway."

Niyt shakes her head gently. "No. Our mama isn't here anymore. She was too sick, and so the wind took her away." At Tala's idea that something took Tala, though, she nods. "That's what Askuwheteau and Wachiwa think, too." Niyt has never been one to keep the truth from puppies. Explain it gently, yes. Hide it, no. "That's why they asked me to come here. They wanted me to see if I could figure out what happened, so we can get him back."

Tala frowns at finding out that the other's mother is gone. "I'm sorry.. My ma and pa are gone too.." She offers with a soft tone and a faint sigh escaping her. At the talk of her older brother and Chew she looks back up to Niyt. "You.. You can do that.. Help find Ikuna?" She questions quickly.

Losing parents hurts, no matter the age of their pup when it happens. Niyt nods softly, at Tala's comment there. The question of if she can help gets a faint smile. "Maybe. I'm going to try. That's all we can do, is try very hard and hope that we can succeed."

Tala chews on her lip a moment before looking back up to the other. "I hope you can find hime.. I really miss him.." This said with a sad tone. She's worried about her brother, and really wishes he was home. "How.. How are you going to try and find him?"

Niyt nods gently. At Tala's question, she lifts up her head, putting her nose into the little breeze that comes blowing past. "I'll ask the wind," she says, and then tilts her head down toward the pup again. "The wind is a good friend to wolves. It brings us scents, and carries our howls. Sometimes, it picks a wolf to be even better friends with. To talk to, and to answer questions and find things out. I'm going to ask it if it saw anything, or if it can find your brother."

Tala looks rather confused at this talk about asking the wind. For a moment she titls her head, ears perking and her gaze drifting one way then another before she sniffs out at the air. "How.. Does the wind tell you.. An how can you ask it?" Needless to say this pup is VERY confused over the talk of talking to the wind..

The wind carries scents, even for a normal wolf. The grasses here, the forest and the river beyond. All the creatures there, near and far, and the sweet or bitter scents of the plants; all this can be sniffed out on the gentle breeze. Niyt laughs softly. "As well ask how I hear you, little one. But..." she smiles. "Sit up. As though you're going to howl," she instructs. "Feel the wind against your fur. Now... think about your brother. Picture him in your head. Let the idea of him fill up all of you. And listen."

Tala tilts her head and glances around a few times before she looks back up to Niyt. For a moment she seems unsure before she shifts upon her haunches and lifts her head up as if she was about to howl. She licks across her maw and closes her eyes while she goes about thinking of her brother. Her mind going back to all the times that they have played, and the thought of him being here with her once more so they can continue to play. She lets her ears perk, taking in the sounds of the passing breeze around her.

Even if Tala has the gift needed to listen to the wind, it's been silent and resistant even to Niyt's attempts to get information from it on these matters. The breeze carries the sounds of the forest, the distant sound of the stream... Perhaps there's nothing here. Niyt closes her own eyes - a habit, not a matter that makes any practical difference - and silently adds her own power to the pup's earnest wish and love for her brother. Still there's nothing - and then there's a sound, sharper than the rest. An eagle's screech. Maybe it's coincidence, some unrelated bird that just happens to call now. Or maybe it's part of the wind's message. Niyt's eyes come abruptly open.

Tala does her best to sit quietly, her mind only on her brother and she continues to think of him while she struggles to find some answer from the wind. Her form twitches, ears turning forward slowly and then back while she takes in soft slow breaths to work on keeping herself quiet and still. She's starting to lose hope in this working, and then there is the sound of the eagle and her eyes snap open and she looks up at the sky with a gasp. "Is that.. Important?" Her heart is racing at the thought of it being a sign about her brother.

For Niyt, there's more to it than simply the screech. She doesn't have the words to explain what the wind said to her; how can a feeling, a sense of truth, be explained? But she nods to Tala. "I think so. I think... that creature is part of this. It sounded..." she considers for a moment. "Angry. Perhaps that's why the wind could tell us. The bird was too angry to hold back. I wonder why?"

Tala ears lower at the thought of a bird having her brother, a faint nod seen for a moment. "But.. Why would a bird why Ikuna?.." She glances around and then looks upwards eyeing the trees above her. "I mean.. What would a bird do with a wolf?"

Even Niyt, who speaks the truth to puppies, hesitates a moment before she answers. The wolf lowers her head, resting it on her paws and regarding Tala with her strange, sightless eyes. "There are many strange things in this world, Tala. Some of them are good things, but some are very, very bad things. Sometimes, bad things try to get stronger by hurting the good things. I think this bird is part of a very bad thing."

Tala watches Niyt, her ears lowering as the adult start to explain. "Why do bad things keep happing to my pack? Ikuna is good an so nice to everyone.. Its not fair." She murmurs out softly as she drops down to the ground and lets her forepaws cover her face.

"Bad things can happen to everyone," says Niyt softly. "Even good people. That's why we all need to do good things... so the bad things don't win." She leans her head over, and aims a gentle nosing for between Tala's ears. "Sometimes I wonder if they happen to good people most of all, because the bad things want us to lose hope so we don't do good. But you mustn't give up that hope."

Tala is quiet while hearing the other, her eyes have closed and a few tears roll across her cheeks. "What's the point in doing good things if there is going to always be bad things there to take ones away?" She's young and many things have happened in her short life, she's confused and scared. "What if something happens to Chew and Asku.. Or Ahiga? I'm going to be all alone.."

Aeron having been listening to them talk and do the whole breathing thing finally speaks up "My uncle once told me that we can only be as good as the evil we fight" His brows furrowing deeply, "At the time I didn't really understand what he meant but combined with your words they make a bit more sense." The young males lips turning into a small smile. "So that you for that." His voice then turning more serious at Tala's worrying statement as he pads over toward her slowly "The best point I can think of is because its the right thing to do, and the more good we create the less place there will be for evil" His words sounding logical to him even tho there is no finite limit to either of the two "And you will never be all alone."

The wind whispered many things; Helaku, the wolf touched by a spirit of winter, approached from the North. The strange wolf with the scarf about his neck carried a small rabbit in his mouth. He had departed briefly while Niyt still lay at rest, as per her words on what he thought was best for him to do for the time being. The male came quietly and set down the food at Niyt's side. "For you, Niyt," he said, hiw stark white eyes soon falling on Tala. How to answer her fear...he knew the right words but this wasn't his sort of thing to speak on. The Sun marking and the small Moon at its center peeper from under the scarf as he sat. And then Aeron's words added nicely to the mix. "Can you define evil?"

Niyt gently nuzzles Tala again. "The point?" she says, and laughs softly. "Oh, little wolf. Remember playing with your brother. Remember curling close to your parents. All those are good things. Why do they need a point? They were good. They're still good; you just have to remember them. Let that be what gives you the courage to do more good." She looks up, as other voices join in the conversation. To Aeron, she shakes her head. "No. We can be far better than the evil we fight. Doing good isn't just about stopping evil. Good doesn't need a reason to be." To Helaku, she turns her head, sniffing at the scent of rabbit. "Thank you," she says to him.

Tala gaze flick towards Aeron whome she watches a few moments before lowering her head to the ground once more. She doesn't move away at the nuzzle and peers up at Niyt. "I do remember that.. I just wish they was here too.. I miss them." Even at Aeron's words she still feels like she'll be alone, everyone around her is dropping like flies it feel like to her. Her blue gaze drifts towards the new adult and she eyes him a few moments, though as Niyt knows him it would seem she doesn't go scrambling back into the hole behind her.

Aeron actually nods in agreement to Niyt's words "I agree with you that we can be better, but what I think Mori was trying to tell me in his own way was that without one there wouldn't really be the other since there would be nothing to compare it against...personally I don't think I'd mind there being neither" His gaze turning over toward Helaku "Can that question really be correctly answered, my best answer tho would be that evil is what hurts others, be it creatures, nature or spirits" His gaze lifting to look the older wolf in the eyes "That likely means we are evil in the eyes of those we hunt tho even if its for a good cause in our own eyes." his gaze finally returning to Tala as he speaks softly "Do you mind if I join you?"

"Such a good answer for one of your age," said Helaku as he offered a gentle nuzzle to Niyt in response to her thanks for the meal he brought. "Good and Evil, Right and Wrong," he said. "These principles depend entirely upon point of view. What is good for one animal may not be good for another, and what is evil for one animal may not be evil for another. Even with what might have caused the disappearance of pups, this might apply. We won't know until we learn."

"I know," replies Niyt to Tala softly. What more can she say? She misses her own lost loved ones as well - some gone forever, and some, she hopes, only for now. Aeron's reply gets her consideration, though no answer. One word of it does catch her ear, though. Mori. Hmm. "So this is his pack," she murmurs softly. She should have realized it, she supposes, but... no matter. She smiles to Helaku at the nosing, and lets him continue the discussion of philosophy with Aeron. Philosophical debate isn't quite her style; instead, she returns her attention to Tala.

Tala ears perk while she peers at Aeron, looking rather confused at what he is talking about. Her mind a jumble with everything that has been going on lately and its a bit over her head to say the least. She shifts and moves closer to Niyt settling down at her side and presses close. Her head settling against her forepaws and she glances to Aeron at the question to her, a slight nod offered. The young wolf isn't sure what else to say, and seems to instead chosing to go quiet for the time being.

Aeron nods his head in response as he pads up alongside her free side and settles down as if to show that she is not alone as was mentioned earlier "thank you" his head leaning over to offer a gentle nuzzle before looking at Helaku and Niyt somewhat unsure what else to say himself.

Silently regarded Niyt with yet another nosing before he too settled down. There wasn't much for him to do outside of assisting Niyt, and he did just return from hunting for her. "I used to come here a long time ago," he said. "It was one of the most peaceful places to rest. This hasn't changed."

Niyt smiles as Tala presses against her, shifting her position to curl around the young wolf slightly. Sometimes, a warm, soft-furred presence can say more than words possibly can, and she's glad she can be that, even if only for a moment. She nuzzles at the pup gently, and over at Aeron briefly as the other pup joins them. Then returns Helaku's nosing, before she reaches her muzzle out to drag the rabbit he brought close and begin to eat with delicate bites. She'll gather her strength, and then she'll be ready to travel again, to find Tala's brother - and her own. After eating for a bit, she pauses, licking her lips. The second pup called Mori uncle. "Little philosopher," she asks Aeron, "Who are your parents?"

Tala watches Aeron a few moments before closing her eyes while she presses closer to Nity, her head tucking slightly and her breathing slows as she starts to drift off to sleep. Seems the young wolf has had enough of everything and needs to sleep, and with others around her perhaps she'll get some rest tonight, and perhaps she won' have bad dreams.

Aeron can't stop his tail from wagging slightly at the complimenting nickname Niyt gave him "My parents are Lupin and Hinto, we are still staying at the forest densite" A soft smile on his lips as he notes Tala starting to drift off to sleep "Tho I don't know why we are there rather then at the packs proper densite."

Parents. Being here had strange effects on Helaku, the kind he'd rather forget sooner than accept. In ways, Alpha Skelaghe was a mother but she was not his true mother. Wuth was his mother, one of several Alphas among the Miakoda pack conglomerate of the Redwood Barrens..and Helaku I...Beta of the Ancient Ute, Alpha of Miakoda and New Ute. The male stared at the tree. Alpha Skelaghe visited this place a much when she lived...and perhaps never left. His father hadn't either. He approached the tree and raised onto his hind legs to plant his paws against its trunk. It was all here, this connection to a land he had not been able to connect to for several seasons. Tictactictacitctactictacitctacticta...in his mind and there played that human's music box again. Elderly Skelaghe gazed at him in those distant memories with that all-knowing expression he desired to see again but could not. He closed his eyes, nose against the bark. (Snow Eyes) The ticking of the clock and chimes of the music box ceased, a mental lapse one might say. More and more he felt less like himself and more like his own father. He had ever since Aquene committed suicide after her fatal, unfortunately necessary, journey and deadly fight with Helaku I. "...Niyt...tell me about Elder Haze, if you would?"

Niyt feels Tala's breathing against her side slow into sleep, and she smiles. Good. The pup seemed like she needed badly to relax - and sometimes, a kind stranger is easier to forget one's worries with than a friend who feels them just as sharply. At Aeron's answer, though, her brow furrows slightly. Lupin and Hinto. Odd. She remembers Mori talking about his family when they met as pups, and she doesn't recognize either of those names. And they're not at the densite? Curioser and curioser. She hmms, pondering on that, and then tilts her head up as Helaku's question brings her to the present. "Haze?" she repeats. "I don't know him very well. He feels like... he carries a sadness inside him, always. He's devoted to his mate, but... he's never sure how to speak to anyone else. Even when it's clear he wants to."

Aeron goes silent as the adults starts to talk about something he has no clue about, seemingly having learned some manners atleast in that regard. His gaze instead studying the area around him carefully.

Something is wrong. Quite wrong. Ahiga had spent most of his time the previous day, after departing from the tree, searching for his pal...and strangely enough, he's failed in his quest to pinpoint Ikuna's whereabouts. He even hung around the den for a boring length of time, waiting for his eventual return. And now it's a new day, and Ahiga's youthful emotions, unable to wholly grasp the concept of worry for another, have turned surly. Irritated. How dare that pup make him feel this queer way! He trudges towards the tree, hoping that his companion had returned here without his knowledge so he can properly scold him for leaving without him. But as he nears the familiar crabapple, it isn't a familiar pup he sees but one...no.../two/ large strangers. He freezes, a paw raised and eyes widening.

Blood, the breeze carries the scent of it towards the small group, And more then that it is wolf blood. The tangy metallic taste of it filled Askuwheteau's mouth and he spit it out as he limped towards the tree, He looked the worse for wear, beaten up didn't cover it, he looked like he had been set upon by a group of wolves, or perhaps a bear. And While Niyt may not be able to see him the increase in his scent mingled with the blood would be a clue as to just who was doing the bleeding. As he drew near he noticed Ahiga and turned towards his young charge, "Ahiga...It's alright They are friends." He rumbles deeply in his chest, He makes no mention of his wounds as he looks at the two adults, "Have you had any luck in finding a clue of some sort?" He says softly, leaning down to nuzzle Ahiga and whisper, "They are here to help us Ahiga...something bad has happened."

"Elder Haze has seen much sadness, if I am to remember correctly," said Helaku. "He was the last to see my half-sister Aquene alive except myself. Being here ressurects many feelings with which I may not be entirely comforted," he said, gazing up at the tree. His nose twitched at the many scents that had been put here over the seasons and likewise picked up the familiar scent of Asku and blood. "When you first appeared I was unsure if there was tension between the Ute and Cerulean because Aquene gave Elder Haze a warning before she died concerning several now-deceased individuals within Ute." He lowered himself to the ground, standing normal when Asku appeared and asked his question. "Niyt's nose is better suited to deciphering these multiple scents. There are so many here across so much time it is hard for me to dechiper who is stranger and who is not."

As strangers go, Niyt is double extra strange. She's got these weird eyes, like they're covered with fog, and she never looks at anything, just sort of stares into nothing. She's looking more or less toward where Ahiga's approaching from, but her eyes don't even flick to him. It's like she doesn't see him at all! There is a familiar pup here, but it's not Ikuna - it's Tala, and she's sound asleep, curled right up against the strange female's side like she belongs there. On the other side of Tala is Aeron, who is at least a slightly familiar face... though still not the one Ahiga is looking for. Niyt listens to Helaku's reply on the matter of Haze - and history, of Cerulean and Ute. More names she does not know, and old wounds now reopened. She nods gentle - and lifts up her head sharply at the scent of blood, coming to alert for new wounds. She doesn't try to stand - not with Tala still against her - but the injured Askuwheteau clearly has her attention. "Perhaps," she says in answer to his question. "The bird - the eagle. He is angry." She doesn't ask about his injuries. Not now; if he wishes to reveal it, he will. "I think... the wind will carry more news, soon."

Aeron retains his silence since this is quite obvious adult business, as such he simply pays close attention to how the others acts, speaks and reacts. A respectfull nod is given to both Ahiga and Asku tho since standing up and giving a proper greeting might disturb Tala's sleeping.

This is bad. How many times has Wachiwa warned him about strangers? How deeply has she engraved in his brain, and the brains of his frinds, of the dangers that strangers possess? And how many times has she told them exactly what to do if they come across a stranger's face on their lands? ... And why is it that despite all this, all Ahiga can manage to do is gawk, as if not quite comprehending just how this...can be. Two unknown faces. Tala so close to them both, or at least close to the one who's almost but not quite looking at him. His paw is lowered and ears slide back against his head, his expression forcing itself into something less stupidly stunned: A frown. His posture goes defensive, a little hunched, and he /might/ have even pulled off a young sounding growl if Asku hadn'tve made an appearance. And his.../appearance/ is enough to stun the poor guy all over again. Blood! Injuries! "What the heck!" he blurts, unable to check his words before they explode from his mouth, ears pricking in urgency. "Asku, what happened to ya? Are you ok?" He barely registers the male's reassurance about the presense of the others, and Aeron goes momentarily unnoticed as he tries to focus on oen thing at a time. And at this moment, Asku seems to be the most pressing matter!

Askuwheteau looks down at Ahiga and offers the pup a small smile and nuzzles his side, "Remember I told you the story of the haunted cave down by the river? I went there again. I had to ask Mlawatu something. She was not happy to see me. My wounds are the results of her welcome, Ikuna has been pupnapped, that is why I risked such a dangerous thing." He looks up and nods at the words of the other two adults, "Ahiga let me introduce Helaku and Niyt. Helaku is the son of the Alpha of the first Ute pack. Niyt is a wolf from the Cerulean pack to the south of us. We are allies with them. Her little brother was also pupnapped likely, she has come here looking for him. I suspect the same creatures are responsable for both pups going missing."

Helaku paused upon this increased gathering, his white eyes surveying each and every new face in addition to Asku's wounds. Curious, most curious. He said nothing for now...choosing to remain entirely silent out of precaution as much as having nothing to say until addressed.

Niyt perks her ears to Ahiga's outburst. There's nothing wrong with her hearing, just her eyes. So, this is the other pup that got mentioned - which makes the little Aeron all the more of a mystery. That puzzle can wait, though. Asku's explanation takes her attention again, and she listens carefully. When she is introduced, she says, "Hello, Ahiga," and offers a smile, even though her blind eyes still don't focus on him. After Askuwheteau has finished, she nods her agreement. "It seems likely. If we find one... we will find the other. Or at least further clues."

At the Foggy Path, Anoki howls.

Aeron remains laying alongside Tala as he watches the adults speak about many things.

Hinto has been looking for his son. Well, Mori's son that's been adopted by him to be *his* son. Either way. Hinto is looking for Aeron. He's still having a hard time deciding whether he or his sister are the more pawful. Right now, though, he's more concerned with his son. Sniffing around, he's soon closing in on Aeron.

Ahiga blinks rapidly, his head rearing back a little. Oh yes he remembers that story, very well in fact, but...wasn't that just a story? He inhales a breath, eyes growing ever wider as he surveys the ghost-caused injuries. And, goodness, add another slap to the face. Ikuna's been "What?" he vocalizes the single word aloud, having a tough time processing this all. Demon fights. A pupnapped friend. And two names that he's not going to remember at all, for the two wolves are eyed as if they were aliens from another planet, their voices, or at least the voice o the one who spoke, unheard. His bewildered look is accented with a hard blink as turquoise eyes return to Askuwheteau. Cerulean pack? Son of an Alpha? Another missing pup? It's information overload! "Wait so...wait, what? Ikuna's not here?" That's one fact he /can/ cling to for now. "How come we ain't lookin' for him? Let's go look for'm!" he says, a vague sound of urgency evident in his voice as he takes a backward step, apparently ready to go, although he has no idea where. But, hark! His head lifts a little, detecting the sound of a howl...a young sounding one, at that. "Is that him? Is that Ikuna?"

At the Lone Crabapple Tree, Ahiga howls.

At the Hilltop Vista, Anoki howls.

At the Lone Crabapple Tree, Askuwheteau howls.
At the Lone Crabapple Tree, Niyt howls.
At the Lone Crabapple Tree, Helaku howls.
At the Lone Crabapple Tree, Aeron howls.

Niyt lifts up her head sharply at the sound of that young howl nearby. Is that... it can't be! But as the sound repeats, she becomes more certain. It is. She stands up abruptly, leaving the sleeping Tala behind, and lifts her muzzle up to howl! Her voice rises quickly up, and it seems some of the sorrow in it has gone, transformed into a strange joy. She says nothing to those around, but simply starts to run toward that voice. As she runs, her head lifts again, letting out further fragments of howl, snatches of melody sung into the wind. She can hear him, and she will find him!

Askuwheteau reaches out and lightly places a paw on Ahiga's shoulder, "Calm down, take a deep breath. We don't know where Ikuna is at the moment, but we are fairly certain he hasn't been hurt. We do know a large bird carried him away. That was why I braved the Ghost's cave again. I wanted to ask them if they could help find him or knew anything we didn't." He perks his ears at the young howl and then lifts his head to return it calling to the young wolf in the distance before answering his little buddy, "I don't think it is Ahiga. Ikuna's voice is different."

Aeron remains laying alongside Tala once Niyt suddently runs off after the howl, he told her that she wouldn't be alone and he is not about to break his word. Letting out a slight yawn he places his head between his paws and closes his eyes to rest for a short while.

And that is exactly when Hinto finds him. "There you are, Aeron!" He walks right on over to the pup. "Your mother and I got worried when we dodn't see you come back with Ishara."

No. That doesn't sound anything like Ikuna, but Ahiga couldn't help but feel more than a little bit hopeful. His return howl is a soft chord in comparison to the stronger voices around him, and he frowns a little, eyeing the direction from which the distant howl came. He starts a little, startled as the unknown female takes off, and he watches her strangely as she chases after the unseen. Finding nothing to be excited over, he slumps a little, a frown returning to his face. "A bird? A stupid bird took'm?" His brows furrow as he looks up at his mentor. "I'll...I'll eat that bird. I will. I'll rip its stupid beak off!" An ear twists, hearing the sound of yet another wolf's approach, and a glance is sent to Hinto's direction. Does he know him? Maybe..maybe not. He's definitely not a face that's usually around.

One. Step. At. A Time. Slow, staggering steps that come forward; painful, sore, cracked paws, bloody caked, and stiff, sensative to the touch, come up... toward the lone tree. Shadows cast over the grass slowly move, and slowly, coming toward the sounds, migrating toward the sounds of voices, oh, glory, voices.. And it is then the muddy, thin, tired, and vaguely unsteady wolf pup comes into view; yellow eyes almost dead from fatigue. The vague shapes he sees up ahead, that make out the voices he has heard make a weak smile come to his mouth, before the wee pup toddles a few more steps into the available light .. and then collapses in a head, panting slightly, paws stretched before him, tail trying it's best to wag, but oh so little energy left.

Once Niyt made her motion in response to the younger howl, Helaku eyed the other wolves as he stiffened. Blind wolf running, hardly a good thing if she couldn't see. "Pardon me, but I did offer my service to Niyt," he said, trotting after the blind female. He didn't get far before the pup appeared and thus he slowed to a mere walk. Ears erect..and he quite ignored the conversations of every other wolf present except for Niyt and the pup.He promptly turned about and snatched up the small rabbit he brought for Niyt. her brother would likely need it more than her at this point.

Blind, Niyt is driven by sound and scent and the touch of spirit, and they are all flutteringly weak - but present, and they lead her straight to the worn wolfpup who's just arrived. The female looks better than her brother, but not by all that much. She has been wandering in her search the whole time he has been gone, pushing herself to her limits - and all for this moment. Even without her vision, she dives in toward him, catching him between her paws and beginning to lick at him, to nuzzle him, trying to clean off every bit of him at once and most of all to hold him close against her. "Oh, little moon..." she murmurs against his fur, and other words less coherent as she hugs him close and nuzzles him.

Aeron lifts his gaze to looks up Hinto with a blink "Didn't uncle tell you he let us explore and hunt in this direction, Ishara didn't want to explore this far in tho" his head tilting slightly to the side as he speaks "Our packland is fairly safe isn't it when around others?"

Askuwheteau Watches as Niyt and then helaku rush the new pup and he murmurs, "It's not Ikuna, but it looks like Niyt has found her brother again, and perhaps once he is rested and eaten he can tell us where the bird took him and Ikuna." Asku looks down at Ahiga and gently draws him into a hug, "I feel the same way Ahiga, No amount of pain will be too much to give those who took Ikuna from us. I want to see them crawl, I want to make them beg for the release death will bring. And when they cry for the mercy of oblivion...I will not give it until I am satisfied. It's alright to feel these things when it is bad creatures you feel them for, and this bird is a bad creature. There was also a shewolf we believe lied to Ikuna and tricked him away from the tree here. And when I get hold of her...well...I don't want to put those images in a your head Ahiga, but trust me when i say the things I will do to her will be monsterous."

Hinto is about to respond to his son when he hears Askuwheteau talk the way he does. Thoughts back to his old life as a pup well within him. "No!" He suddenly rings out. Then, planting his muzzle atop his boy as if protecting him, he says, "Such thoughts and such talk are only destructive. They are the kinds of things that incite violence inward between those of a group! I heard such talk before my entire pack was destroyed from within when I was no older than Aeron, here." Hinto sits up. "We are not an avenging force to rain down upon evil as we see it, or we'll suffer so much more loss! We must find the pup, yes. We may seek justice, too. But I loathe the notion of waging an entire war on just a few. Let hatred be *their* weakness, not ours!"

Ahiga inhales a short breath as he looks over towards Niyt and the youngster, brows raising. That kid was missing, and now he's back ... maybe Ikuna is not too far after! Maybe. But as Askuwheteau draws him closer, and Ikuna fails to make a grand appearance, he feels that bit of hope begin to flutter away. "That's not fair. S'not fair that he's here an' Ikuna ain't," he mutters, slightly leanging into the wolf, unable to fight off dismal feeling of loss for his friend, and the flickering anger of those who took him, whoever they may be. Asku's angry words are far more articulate than his may have been, and the vengeance heard is comforting, in a way. They will not take this laying down! "A wolf?" said in disbelief. Why would a wolf be mean to his pal? No Ute wolf would do that! Blinkins, his attention twists to Hinto, and his brows furrow. "Don' talk to Asku that way, y'old wolf!" he says, feeling a bit protective himself.

His weak form suddenly gathered up, and for the first time in a long while, it doesn't come with the fear of those faces and voices that would seem happy until they get close enough to snap. The familiat smell of Niyt's fur, her breath, the feel of her tongue, causes Anoki to start whimpering noisily. "Niiiiiiyt," he moans softly, ears flopping back, and then turns to nuzzle into her chest. "Are you a dream too? Like Momma? Momma helped me found the voices.." he opens his eyes slowly, looking up at the she-wolf grooming him, and lifts his nuzzle to lick at her chin.

Helaku lightly dropped the small rabbit before Niyt and Anoki, his eyes on the two reunited siblings, but his ears swerving back to the others upon hearing the words 'Ute' and 'mean'. "I suggest a small portion of the rabbit, Niyt," he whispered. "He needs food in his stomach." The blabbering going on behind him, however, wasn't something he really wanted to hear when a weakened pup had just emerged from who knew where. The alpha-descended wolf did not turn around, but his voice shifted enough for a bit of attention to be drawn...if they weren't rendered deaf by their own bickering. "That is enough from all under the Ute name," he affirmed. "Can you not see we've a weakened pup present?" The wind in the trees shifted leaves and dust, tugging at the scarf about his neck, once mor revealing the Ute markings on his shoulder.

Niyt's world has shrunk down to the brother she holds in her arms. She's dimly aware of the argument behind her, of the raised voices and promises of vengeance - but she doesn't care. Now now. Later, she'll deal with those now arguing and figure out what must be done. There is another pup to be saved, after all. But later. For now, what's important is Anoki. She nuzzles him all over, licking and checking for injuries beyond his obvious exhaustion. "Oh, Anoki. I'm not a dream. I'm here. I'm really here!" she tells him, hugging him close and smiling so very happily as he licks back at her. She's really here! And so is he. When Helaku brings the rabbit, it takes a moment before she even realizes he's there. Once she does, though, she nods. Food, yes. Her brother needs food. And if she doesn't have to let him go in order to get it, all the better! She reaches her head over, tugging out soft bits of the rabbit she'd begun to eat and offering them to her brother as Helaku joins the argument behind.

Aeron rubs his head against Hinto gently before nodding halfway "Pa is correct tho, from what he and uncle have told me about the Ute we are a pack that values justice and fairness" the young wolfs gaze turning toward Asku as he speaks softly "If we sink to the level of those who did this, how are we differnt from them?"

Askuwheteau is in fact not arguing, his voice is not raised, he is almost frighteningly composed. His eyes small and cold, his voice even and flat, yet as hard and unyeilding as a glacier. "Hinto...be quiet, you are upsetting the pups and Helaku. You have no right to speak on these matters. I don't care about your blind wish for peace. Peace is a fine thing, in it's place and time. But this is not a place nor a time where peace belongs. Someone has taken my baby brother, and mark my words well. There is nothing walking this world be it alive, dead, or spirit that will stand between me and giving those who did this all that they deserve...and more if I feel it is justified." He looks up and his hazel eyes glitter with pure menace, "Don't preach to me, There is nothing left to be said. You will not change my mind and arguing with me will only make me angrier, and I will make those responsable for my little brother's abduction suffer all the more for it."

Hinto sighs. "I pity you. I thought you were better than that. Vengeance breeds hatred. I think I will take my son home now. I do not care to have him so exposed." With that, Hinto noses Aeron in the direction of home.

The mouthful of food offered is accepted, but only slightly. Food? Food is trivial. He's sure this is all just a dream, but at least it's a good dream, a dream where he's found his sister, and the monsters can't find him again, and even though weary, he does accept the bite of food, and chews it slowly, letting the taste melt in his mouth, and finally swallowing. It must be Anoki, because after a moment, he feels well enough to voice out, "Ugh.. I hate rabbid. Why couldn' it be lizard?" He mmfs. But he smacks his snout, eager for another bite... an eagerness that's tempered by his sudden sigh, as he falls asleep in Niyt's paws. Safe. He's safe for sure. Safe, and sound. Safe and-- The arguing makes on ear twitch, and one eye slowly open, before the pup stares. What loud noises. What strange wolves. Someone's mi.. ssi.. ngg.. Anoki's eyes pop open. "The bad hole! Th-there's a bad hole, and the bad things are after more woofs.. They want woofs and cats for something bad... Very bad... "

Puh. Who's that barking orders as if he has any say here? Bah! Helaku is now on the receiving side of Ahiga's irritated glare, but really this is a grand distraction from the sad feelings inside. Anger is much more tolerable than woe, and showing anger is far easier. "You don' tell us what to do. You're not the alpha!" Now. if it /was/ the current Alpha, rest assured Ahiga wouldn't have a single word to say! He's a scary fellow. And unfortunately, unlike the eerily calm sounding Asku, Ahiga has allowed his emotions to get the better of him, and it's heard in his voice. "An' you shut up, weirdo." This is said to Aeron, who's presence wasn't noticed until he spoke. "You ain't even /been/ here this whole time. Ikuna's my friend an' somebody took him, an' I'm mad. They're gonna...they're gonna..gonna wish they hadn't!" Cuz he's going to do something about it! Just what, well he hasn't thought that far.

Hinto had wisdom, Helaku couldn't deny this. It was closer to Ute principle in not seeking obvious revenge, and only dealing with it should the perpetrator return to the lands. However, Asku's desire to enact revenge sounded more like Wyanet's philosophy which had no place among Ute. That was his father's concern as much as Aquene's--outsiders becoming Alphas of Ute was unacceptable in his father's eyes. The white-eyed wolf slowly turned around to face Ahiga, his face one of an unreadble, stoic firmness refused to foretell what emotion currently bubbled within his mind. It was a face that few leaders could muster these days, something he learned from his father when young as much as his mother. "You are correct to tell me that I am not your Alpha," he replied, calmly. "I've yet to see your official Alphas, but as ancestral Ute to your generation, if there is discord it is part of my responsibility to simmer tension." His eyes slowly shifted to Asku, face the same as it was. "Hinto is correct and in line with what would be traditional Ute value of not outright seeking vengeance...unless the one responsible were to show themselves on the border or within the land. Alpha Skelaghe herself demonstrated this in regards to a dog familiar to her and my father."

Oh, yes. That's her brother. Niyt laughs from relief at his complaint. There will be lizards. All the lizards he can eat! She cuddles Anoki close as he falls asleep, and then her smile fades and her face grows more serious as he opens up his eyes again, and talks about the bad hole. "We're going to stop them," she says, her voice firm. "We'll stop the bad things. We're with the Ute pack now, and the bad things have one of their pups." She nuzzles her brother's cheek. "But... we're going to need you to help show us the way. Can you do that? Can you tell Askuwheteau and the other Ute about the bad things, and the bad hole?"

Ears lay back at Niyt's words, and the little pup, suddenly alive, but still worn with fatigue, suddenly recoils and withdraws. "... Don't make me go back, I don't want to go back to the bad hole, no, not back to the bad hole, please no.." He closes his eyes again, shaking his head-- and closing his eyes reminds him just how tired, how weary he is. He whines sofly, mumblinh, "Don't make me go back to the bad hole.. Not the bad hole.."... and then his complaining stops as he falls asleep.. this time unstirring. Well... yes. A full belly and Spirits only knows how much travel will do that to a pup.

Aeron shakes his head at Hinto's order for them to leave. "Can't leave, promised Tala that she wouldn't be alone and you taught me not to break my promises." His gaze showing some unusual resolve since he almost always have obeyed the orders given to him. "You don't want to force me to break my promise to somebody do you." His lower lip quivering slightly.

Niyt sighs softly, and hugs her brother close as he falls asleep. Let him rest. She'll get the details they need later. Once she's sure he's soundly sleeping, she gently lifts him up and carries him back over to the spot she was in before. She still doesn't join in the argument, but she does once more settle herself beside the still-sleeping Tala. Just because her brother has been found, the trial isn't over for this pack, and these pups. She nestles her brother once more between her forelegs, and licks affectionately between Anoki's ears. She glances over to Aeron. "You can go with your father. I'll be here." How long? Well, at least until her brother wakes, and he's likely to be sleeping a good long time - if with intermittent nightmares.

Askuwheteau lowers his head to nose at Ahiga whispering to the pup, "Pay them no mind Ahiga, we are in the right. Don't let anyone tell you different." He then lifts his eyes to Helaku, "Skelaghe was dead before my eyes opened for the first time Helaku, I have every right to hate the creatures that took my brother. They are deserving of hate. and I WILL vent my feelings on them." He leans very close to the other wolf seeming not at all intimidated by the strangeness of his eyes, "Do not come between me and my vengance. And do not for an instant think you can make me change my mind or for the barest moment feel guilt because of it. They will die in the most horrible method I can come up with, and believe me I pride myself on my creativity. Now see to Niyt and her brother, and leave me be." The young male then turned and began to limp away to tend to his wounds, "Ahiga I will be near if you need me. I will keep you and Tala in view." He limps over to another tree a few feet away from the others and begins grooming his hurts while watching them.

Ahiga stares stubbornly into Helaku's odd eyes for as long as he can, which for a young male is quite a while considering the overall rudeness of doing such a thing. And there are words spoken that he doesn't understand. Discord. Ancestral. But he does not speak back, thank goodness,and exhales a slight breath once the other male's eyes are off of him. He looks up to Asku, comforted by his softly spoken words, his resolve strengthened because of it. He stands a little straighter, adopting a 'yeah, I've got your back Asku!' sort of stance as he speaks. But then he's heading off, leaving Ahiga to peer towards Tala, then Aeron, then Niyt and the now sleeping rescue pup. "She's not /gonna/ be by herself," he snorts, glancing towards the lingering Aeron while stiffly moving towards Tala and promptly plopping himself down right in front of her. No more of his friends are going to be taken off by birds! Or snugged next to by strangers or weirdos, at that.

This was a response Helaku half-expected. Asku was still young...just like himself eager to enact vengeance at that age. It was apparently clear the legacy of Haht and Wyanet had corrupted the pack's leadership and upper ranks as his father thought it would, and as himself knew it would. He remembered well the fieryness of Wyanet and how she made her threats simply because he was a ghost that haunted her memory of Alpha Helaku. "You are free to hate," came Helaku's reply, "but upon witnessing your longing for vengeance, consider asking yourself if you wish to become a monster...repeat history..."

Niyt is surrounded by puppies; Anoki between her paws, Tala to her side, and a scowling Ahiga making it very clear that he's the one with Tala, not her. Not that she can see that scowl, but she can hear the huffs of his breath and feel that prickliness. Beyond Tala on the other side is Aeron - at least, until his father finally manages to drag him off - and nearby is Askuwheteau. He Who Watches, watching over the whole group, and Helaku on the other side. Two different views of Ute, facing off against each other. But as for Niyt? She smiles, and stretches out her muzzle over her brother as she holds him close. Everything is going to be okay. And, like that, she drifts into the first happy sleep she's had for weeks.